A Trio of US Citizens Killed in Syrian Territory by Suspected Islamic State Assailant, Pentagon Reports
A deadly attack in the heart of Syria on Saturday led to the loss of two US army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter, with several other people injured, according to the Pentagon.
This offensive on American forces in the historic city of Tadmur marks the initial event to cause fatalities following the ouster of ex-leader Bashar al-Assad roughly a year prior.
"This assault occurred as the soldiers were carrying out a high-level meeting," an official said. "Their mission was in aid of ongoing counter-ISIS / anti-terror operations in the region."
The attacker responsible for the shooting was eliminated by allied troops, as confirmed by a declaration from the Secretary of Defense.
Details Withheld For Privacy
US CENTCOM noted that, as a matter of respect for the families and in line with policy, the identities of the deceased personnel will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed.
Earlier reports from Syrian state media and a war monitor said that shots erupted during a tour by US soldiers to the central town of Palmyra.
Conflicting Reports Emerge
According to a government news agency, a pair of Syria's security force and several US personnel were wounded in the exchange. Those hurt were reportedly evacuated by helicopters to a garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan.
A spokesperson for Syria's interior ministry said a shooter affiliated with ISIS opened fire at the gate of a military post. Authorities are investigating whether the individual was a formal member of the group or simply espoused its extreme ideology.
This spokesperson also refuted a report from a UK-based rights group that the attacker was a member of the security forces.
Continued US Presence in Syria
The US maintains hundreds of troops deployed in Syria's east as part of a broader coalition combating the Islamic State.
Even after being declared defeated in the country in recent years, the group's dormant networks continue to carry out deadly attacks. UN estimates suggest the group retains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
American forces have previously been attacked in the past. Among the deadliest previous attacks occurred in that year in northern Syria, when an blast killed two US service members and US civilians, among additional casualties.
